THIS WEEK: March 9 to 15, 2016
Live from the Met: Manon Lescaut, Puccini’s opera of obsessive love between a Parisian temptress and a dashing student, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 6:30 p.m. March 9. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a musical version of the Shakespeare fantasy, adapted for kids to learn about Shakespeare and updated with goth fairies, punk mechanicals and hip humans. Phoenix Performing Arts Center, 409 Main St., Duryea. 7 p.m. March 11 and 12; 2 p.m. March 13. $10. 570-457-3589.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the classic tale presented by the MMI Prepper Playhouse. Athletic and Drama Complex, MMI Preparatory School, 154 Centre St., Freeland. 7 p.m. March 11 and 12. 570-455-3533.
Big Fish, a musical about the relationship between a father who tells fantastic stories and his adult son who is trying to decide how many of the stories are true. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton. 8 p.m. March 11 and 12; 2 p.m. March 13. $10; $7 seniors and students. 570-941-4318.
The Who’s Tommy, the classic rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid “who sure plays a mean pinball.” Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. March 11 to April 3 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. March 13, 20, 26 and April 2 and 3. $20. 570-868-8212.
Spartacus, a filmed performance by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow in Yuri Grigorovich’s production about the Thracian king captured and forced to fight as a gladiator in ancient Rome. 12:55 p.m. March 13. $18. 570-961-5943.
Born for This, a musical production detailing the final hours of Jesus Christ. Performed by Lift Your Spirits Performing Arts at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Road, Dallas. 6 p.m. March 13. $10. 570-675-3859.
Rhythm in the Night: The Irish Dance Spectacular, a Celtic tale that unfolds during the Dark Ages when the land was ruled by the wicked sorceress Azura whose spell has trapped the legendary hero Balor under her control. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. March 13. $37.50, $25, $20. 570-826-1100.
FUTURE
St. Edward’s University Ballet Folklorico, traditional Mexican dances including Tamaulipas polkas, dances of Sinaloa, folk melodies of Veracruz and the slower mariachi tempos of Puebla. Third floor of Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, North Main and West Jackson streets, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. March 17. $5. 570-208-8021.
Unnecessary Farce, a comedy by Paul Slade Smith about two police officers trying to expose a corrupt mayor by setting up a sting in an adjacent hotel room. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Opens March 17 with a “Pay What You Wish” preview. Continues March 18 to April 3 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Reservations: 570-784-8181 or bte.org.
You Can’t Take It with You, the comedy about the freethinking Sycamore family and the mayhem that ensues when their daughter’s fiance brings his conservative, straight-laced parents to dinner on the wrong night. Presented by the Misericordia Players at the Lemmond Theater, Walsh Hall, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. 8 p.m. March 17 to 19. $5, $3 seniors. 570-674-6719.
Angels in Portraits of the Passion, an original play about two angels who take a meditative and critical journey through the art world’s depiction of the Passion. Written by the Rev. Gerald J. Gurka and performed at St. John the Baptist Church, 126 Nesbitt St., Larksville. 7:30 p.m. March 18. 570-779-9620.
Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night of music. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. March 18. $60.50, $50.50, $40.50. 570-826-1100.
Don Quixote, the full-length ballet about the chivalrous but off-kilter adventures of the self-appointed knight errant, performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. March 18. $35, $17 children. 570-389-4409.
Cirque D’Or, a thrill-a-minute spectacle with 30 performers from around the world including acrobats, contortionists, aerial artists, jugglers and entertainers. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. March 19. $53, $43, $33, $23. 570-826-1100.
The Full Monty, the Tony Award-winning musical about Buffalo steelworkers coming to a bold and “unclothed” way of making some quick cash. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. April 1 to 17 with performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. No show on April 7. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. $35; $18 without dinner. Reservations: 570-283-2195.
Live from the Met: Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s tragic love story between a U.S. Naval officer and a young Japanese girl, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 2 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 6. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, a family-oriented show of unique physical comedy, juggling and balancing skills of Gregory Popovich and his more than 30 pets: house cats, dogs, parrots, geese and doves, all rescues from animal shelters across the country. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. April 5. $27.50, $22.50, $12.50. 570-826-1100.
Secret in the Wings, Mary Zimmerman’s compelling narrative on human impulses using short fairy tales which delve into the lands of ogres and princes. Performed by the King’s College Theater Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. April 14 to 23 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Special matinee 2 p.m. April 23. $12; $7 seniors; $5 students. 570-208-5825
Twelfth Night (or What You Will), Shakespeare’s comedy involving mistaken identity, shipwrecks, love triangles, disguises and more. Presented by Wilkes University at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 100 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. April 14 to 16; 2 p.m. April 17. $10, $5 seniors and students. 570-408-4540.
Children of Eden, a biblical musical telling the story of the Creation and Noah’s Ark. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. April 15 through May 1 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
Live from the Met: Roberto Devereux, Donizetti’s opera about Queen Elizabeth I who was forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 16 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 20. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Materialize! A Broadway-caliber magic show with master illusionist Drew Thomas, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. April 16. $40, $30, $25. 570-826-1100.
Koresh Dance Company, with guest performers from local and regional dance studios. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 9 p.m. April 23. $30, $15 children. 570-389-4409.
Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy dealing with the hilarious members of the unusual — and homicidal — Brewster family. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. April 29 and 30; 2 p.m. May 1. $10. 570-996-1500.
Riverdance, the 20th-anniversary tour of the show that propelled Irish dancing and music into popular culture. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. April 29; 2 and 8 p.m. April 30; 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 1. 570-342-7784.
The Importance of Being Earnest, a witty comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde, subtitled “a trivial comedy for serious people.” Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton. April 29 to May 8 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 570-941-4318.
Live from the Met: Elektra, Richard Strauss’ opera about a woman’s primal quest for vengeance, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 30 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. May 4. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
To Kill a Mockingbird, the American masterpiece by Harper Lee about the power of childhood innocence, morality and love. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. May 13 to 22 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
42nd Street, the quintessential Broadway musical comedy about a starry-eyed dancer who leaves her Allentown home to become a Broadway star. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. May 20; 2 and 8 p.m. May 21; 1 p.m. May 22. 570-342-7784.
Mr. Lincoln, a one-man performance by Tom Byrn as Abraham Lincoln, whose life flashes before him after he is shot by John Wilkes Booth. Presented by the East Lynne Theater Company at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. 7:30 p.m. May 26 to 28; 3 p.m. May 29. 570-784-8181.
The Little Mermaid, Disney’s fishy musical fable based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale about the mermaid Ariel who falls in love with a human and longs to leave the sea to pursue him. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. 8 p.m. June 10-11; July 1 and 8; 2 and 8 p.m. June 18, 25; July 2 and 9; 3 p.m. June 12, 19 and 26; July 3 and 10. $20. 570-868-8212.
Funny Girl, the musical portrayal of famed actress and comedian Fanny Brice. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. July 29 to Aug. 14 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, the country superstar’s musical about three female co-workers pushed to the boiling point by their sexist, egotistical bigot of a boss. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Sept. 2 to 25 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
Bonnie and Clyde, the story of the famed Depression-era bank robbers set to music by “Jekyll and Hyde” composer Frank Weildhorn. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Oct. 14 to 30 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
Arsenic and Old Lace, the mystery-comedy about two elderly sisters who are devoted to charity and family — but have a habit of befriending lonely men and poisoning them with arsenic-laced elderberry wine. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Nov. 11 to 20 with performances 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 1 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Auditions, for the May-June production of “School of Rock: The Musical,” presented by the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409 Main St., Duryea. Needed: singers and dancers ages 10 to 18; also young musicians who can play guitar, drums, bass and keyboards. 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 10 and 13. 570-991-1817.
Theater Bus Trip to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, New Jersey, for a performance of the Neil Simon comedy “Rumors.” Sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Women’s Club on April 26. $85 includes transportation, show and luncheon. Reservations: 570-822-4976 or 570-379-3667.
Theater Bus Trip to the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster for a performance of “Samson.” June 8 with a departure time at 7:45 a.m. from the Pittston Plaza. $103 includes transportation, show, meal, tip and a smorgasbord lunch at Shady Maple Farm Market. Reservations: 570-654-9710.
Theater Bus Trip to the American Music Theater in Lancaster for a performance of the “Summer Doo Wop Cavalcade Show.” Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Pittston on June 18 with a 9:45 a.m. departure from the Pittston Plaza. $108 includes transportation, show ticket, tips and dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Reservations: 570-603-1915.
